Equality Means BusinessThe first Business Success Strategies of the New Year is scheduled for Thursday, January 23, 2014, from 8:00 - 10:00 a.m., with an expert panel exploring the topic of Equality Means Business.

Orlando, Inc. announces a new way for Chamber Members to network and get connected with local business and activities. iConnect, a benefit of membership in Orlando, Inc., (Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce) will be held quarterly at various business locations in the Orlando area.

Developing regional leaders is important to the future success of the Central Florida Region. That is why "Regional Leadership" is a primary line of business for the Central Florida Partnership. With nearly forty years of proven success, Leadership Orlando , America's largest "Community Leadership Program," continues to recruit, cultivate and encourage emerging and established leaders, to better serve the Central Florida Region.

At its meeting on December 11, 2013, the Board of Directors of the Central Florida Partnership adopted the recommendations of its 2013 Leadership Development Committee, led by Past Chair Jeffery Q. Jonasen, Shareholder with Gunster.

At its meeting on Thursday, December 12, 2013, the Board of Directors of Orlando, Inc., unanimously elected Shari Dingle Sandifer, President and CEO of Avant Healthcare Professionals, to serve as Chair for 2014–2015. Outgoing Chairman, Waymon J. Armstrong, presented Sandifer with a crystal gavel commemorating the "passing of the gavel." He will continue his service to Orlando, Inc., as Immediate Past Chair.

The goal of the Central Florida Young Professionals Advisory Council (YPAC) is to provide the Board of Directors of the Central Florida Partnership with consistent and thoughtful input from a younger generation; one that will be asked to live with the opportunities exercised and the challenges met when it comes to our collective future.

Central Florida Partnership President, Jacob V. Stuart, had the pleasure of a one-on-one tour of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts with Dr. Phillips Center President, Katherine W. Ramsberger on Tuesday. An active construction site, the 'hard hat' tour provided a unique look at the amazing regional asset that has risen in downtown Orlando.

Periodically, Every Monday will feature members at the Business Executive level of Orlando, Inc. So that we can get to know them better and have access to the products and services that they provide, today we are featuring PTE Productions.

The BIG Deal is your source for coupons and discounts from your favorite Orlando Chamber Member Businesses. Beginning this week, Every Monday will feature a weekly BIG Deal so that you take advantage of offerings for everything from facials to tennis lessons, advertising to IT solutions. This week: Chamber Members $5.99 Per Day from Park Bark and Fly.

As the Orlando Sentinel noted Thursday, Central Florida now ranks #1 in the nation on the issue of long-term, chronic homelessness for regions our size. I believe this community knew we had a big problem with homelessness; but this report substantially confirms it.